Zarzycka, Aleksandra

Abstract [en]

The present paper constitutes a review of the results of a study concerning cultural tourism conducted on a group of students from selected higher education institutions in Bialystok. The aim of this paper is to analyze young tourists' preferences in Podlasie's region in terms of cultural tourism: their choice of activities and attractions, as well as trip related characteristics in contrast to the preferences of young non-cultural tourists. Quantitative research approach has been applied in the study in order to meet the objective of this paper, as the quantitative methods allow to summarize vast sources of information and facilitate comparisons across categories and over time (Kruger, 2003, p.18-19). An online survey was used as a technique to carry out the research. The main results indicate that students, as cultural tourists, prefer a variety of activities (both cultural and non-cultural) in diverse locations and do not limit themselves to any dominant attractions. The work has its value within the cultural tourism literature, as it discusses the potential of the tourist youth market in the developing rural area of post-communist country, Poland. The paper offers suggestions on a more in-depth further research.